The 26 Best Movies About Gambling and Poker, Ranked

He steals $44,000 from his own mother and heads to Vegas, looking for a big score so he can settle all of his financial obligations. When you get Terry Gilliam to direct a biographical gambling movie based on a Hunter S. Thompson novel, it’s more than clear the result won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you are open to a mix of scary, gross, hilarious, and bizarre elements, you’ll definitely love it. The group faces many obstacles and challenges which they, quite naturally, manage to get out of cleverly. Because they succeed in their exceptionally complex mission and deliver an unexpected twist in the end, this movie deserves its spot on the list of the best casino movies in the history of cinema. Movies about gambling have been popular since the very beginning of cinematography.

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The movie follows the adventures of a charming and roguish gambler and gunslinger. It combines elements of comedy, action, and adventure, with the poker game serving as a central plot point. The movie was loved by the public due to its humorous take on the Western genre and unexpected twists. This is a classic American film noir crime drama about a cynical gambler who becomes involved with a corrupt casino owner and then meets a woman and falls in love with her.

Molly’s Game

Invited to attend a meetup in a remote Illinois cornfield, they are brutally beaten with baseball bats upon arriving, stripped of their clothes, and buried alive in a shallow grave. With the Mafia now out of the casino industry, nearly all the old casinos are demolished, and new casinos are built with money from junk bonds. 21 is inspired by the real-life experiences of a talented MIT math student who pursues the goal of conquering casino blackjack to score a big win. Upon being released from prison, suave thief Danny Ocean gathers the gang and heads to Las Vegas, determined to organise the greatest heist in history. The team of highly talented risk-takers concoct a mission to steal from the three biggest casinos in Las Vegas — The MGM Grand, the Mirage, and the Bellagio — all property of Terry Benedict. Like other 007 films, Casino Royale provides plenty of violence, intrigue, romance, and dirty mind tricks, all wrapped up in classic Bond style.

Conclusion: Best Movies That Take Place In Casinos

• “Rounders” has had a significant impact on popularizing poker and inspiring a new generation of players, and it remains one of the key movies for fans of the genre who enjoy its thrilling poker sequences.
• With Matt Damon and John Malkovich in one movie, you know the film will be worth your time.
• Sam soon discovers their affair, confronts Ginger, and ends his friendship with Nicky.
• That’s why we urge all our readers to only bet with the money they’re willing to lose.
• Shade received some mixed reviews and feedback from critics and the public, but it is a good movie with style and intricate card tricks.
• The movie describes the seductive hidden side of the casino industry, the charm of chance and fate, and the adrenaline of risk-taking.

Today, however, the gambling experience is no longer confined to physical casinos. Thanks to the rise of online casinos, anyone can enjoy the thrill of gambling from the comfort of their own home. You can access a wide variety of games and claim bonuses directly from a smartphone or computer. The debut film by Paul Thomas Anderson, Hard Eight starts off as a free-wheeling film about a casino pro (Philip Baker Hall) and his new protege (John C. Reilly), who start winning big at the casino. Everything changes when the young craps player falls in love with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow), forcing him to break some of his mentor’s rules to disastrous effects. In Daniel Craig’s debut as a young James Bond, Casino Royale features 007 playing in a high-stakes Texas hold ‘em poker tournament.

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One of the best things about “The Sting” is the viewers guessing until the final plot twist. The movie received commercial success and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. This crime drama is set in Las Vegas during the 1970s and 1980s, and it revolves around the operations of the fictional Tangiers Casino. The movie invites the viewer into a complicated world of casino businesses and gamblers, exploring themes of power and corruption, all against the background of the Las Vegas glamor.

House of Games

The movie is full of excitement and the lure of gambling but it also shows characters’ personal lives and how their choices impact their lifestyles. “California Split” is best known for its improvisational style of acting and accurate authentic portrayal of the gambling subculture of the 70s. The movie explores the themes of friendship, gambling and gambling addiction, and generally the complexity of human relationships. “Mississippi Grind” is praised for its authentic portrayal of the gambling subculture.

The 15 Best Movies About Gambling and Casinos, Ranked

As it turns out, gambling and gangsters go hand-in-hand, and for this Scorsese film, it’s the Chicago Outfit that serves as the focal crime unit. Director Steven Soderbergh takes us through all the intricate planning and execution, then wraps up with a satisfying ending. It may not have been showered in Oscar nominations, but Ocean’s Eleven is undoubtedly the most famous heist movie of our age. Ocean’s Eleven is the ultimate heist movie, and it just so happens to take place in a casino!

Where to Watch

Newman’s Fast Eddie Felson is like a more interesting version of Cruise’s character, and his battle to take down Jackie Gleason’s Minnesota Fats follows a more human, soulful narrative than a typical sports-movie arc. It’s better the https://thebescasino-login.com/mobile/ less it is about the pool hustling … which is great, but keeps it lower on this list. An odd little comedy about a perpetual loser gambling addict (Richard Dreyfuss) who, for one day, hits on every single bet at the horse races.

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He’s Jack, an aspiring novelist desperate for money — soon, he’s a croupier getting to know the world of casino gambling. Pitched like a hard-boiler noir — Jack has the blasé seen-it-all vibe of a private dick — Croupier explores the sweaty anxiety and crippling sadness of those who have thrown their lives (and money) away at the tables. If the plot complications aren’t always satisfying, the film’s vivid recreation of dingy casino life is utterly intoxicating.

Best GAMBLING movies

Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, “Killing Them Softly” follows a professional enforcer as he investigates the robbery of a high-stakes poker game. The movie is all about greed, capitalism, and disillusionment with the American Dream. “Killing Them Softly” combines intense performances, stylish cinematography, and sharp dialogue to deliver a compelling and atmospheric crime drama. Clive Owen has been such a familiar, somewhat disappointing, presence in films for the last two decades that it’s now hard to remember what a lightning bolt his arrival was. So go back and rewatch Croupier, where all that promise was laid out fairly magnificently.

Molly’s Game

And, of course, there’s a whole lot of gambling, which Altman films with casual mastery, letting us eavesdrop on the weird characters and dangerous oddballs who populate that world. California Split remains perhaps the director’s most underrated classic — and its gut-punch ending is so muted, yet so perfect. The Gambler tells a powerful story about the ferociousness of addiction as well as alienation and all the temptations a person can be overwhelmed with when facing very high stakes. Both James Caan and Mark Wahlberg in the 2014 remake managed to breathe life into one of the most famous gamblers in movies.

Lucky You (

• So go back and rewatch Croupier, where all that promise was laid out fairly magnificently.
• Cruise is a spoiled businessman, Charlie Babbitt, who is perplexed and annoyed by his father’s will.
• Casino revolves around Sam “Ace” Rothstein, an ex-gangster managing a great casino in Vegas.
• Gambling is an integral part of each story’s unfolding, whether through the gamblers’ pursuit of fortune, the excitement of outwitting adversaries, or the psychological battles they wage against themselves.
• The best gambling movies offer a perfect blend of suspense, drama, and intensity, providing an unforgettable cinematic experience.

An origin story of Las Vegas, Bugsy is principally a study of Bugsy Siegel, a gangster who travels to the desert, convinced he’s seen the mob’s future. One of the best gambling movies of all time, 21 is a must-see for anyone who is curious about blackjack and card counting. 21 was a major success at the box office, the top-grossing film in North America for the first two weekends after it was released. This stylish heist movie follows Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his crew of thieves as they plot to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. With a star-studded cast that includes Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts, Ocean’s Eleven seamlessly blends comedy, action, and clever twists.

Croupier

The Color of Money takes place 25 years after Robert Rossen’s 1961 drama, with retired pool hustler “Fast Eddie” (played by Paul Newman) teaching Vincent (played by Tom Cruise) how to finesse the game of life. Although it revolves around the search for a missing groom-to-be, The Hangover still manages to be one of the best casino movies you must see. With Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, and Ed Helms in the leading roles, this movie guarantees a good laugh. The plot of California Split revolves around a gambler, Charlie, who befriends a fellow gambler named Bill. Their pranks, pick-ups, games, and misadventures ultimately lead them to a big win in Reno. But his best friend, a poker player named Worm, needs McDermott’s gift to help him pay off a dangerous debt.

The viewers can enjoy the cat-and-mouse play between the characters who try to outsmart each other and deal with their own vulnerabilities. “House of Games” became known for its complicated and twisted plot and sharp dialogue. “Croupier” is a neo-noir drama about a struggling writer who takes a job as a croupier (dealer) at a London casino to make ends meet. The movie describes the seductive hidden side of the casino industry, the charm of chance and fate, and the adrenaline of risk-taking. “Croupier” was praised for its style and atmosphere and gives an unusual perspective on the gambling genre movies. The story of “Intacto” revolves around the concept of luck as a tangible and transferable asset.

• The movie invites the viewer into a complicated world of casino businesses and gamblers, exploring themes of power and corruption, all against the background of the Las Vegas glamor.
• This Western comedy revolves around a high-stakes poker game in the Old West town of Laredo.
• “Poker Queens” offers an insightful look into the lives of these remarkable women who have significantly impacted the world of poker.
• Everything about the Safdie brothers’ crime-thriller is high-wire and frenzied, just like its haphazard protagonist.
• “Eight Men Out” was appreciated for historical accuracy and portrayal of the players of the time period.

The movie captures the atmosphere of the Las Vegas casino scene and provides a unique perspective on the role of luck and human relationships. It was praised for its blend of romance and drama, and it garnered several award nominations. The very first original movie shot back in 1960, Ocean’s Eleven became a foundation for the three famous movies about Ocean’s friends. This older movie showcases the meticulous planning and execution of the elaborate heist, highlighting the group’s camaraderie and the twists and turns they encounter along the way.

• To prove himself, Eddie challenges top dog Minnesota Fats (played by Jackie Gleason) to a high-stakes game of pool.
• Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman gave the performances of their careers portraying brothers Charlie and Raymond in this emotionally charged drama.
• It presents a humorous and satirical portrayal of the gambling culture, with colorful characters and comical situations.
• He steals $44,000 from his own mother and heads to Vegas, looking for a big score so he can settle all of his financial obligations.
• Happening in the stylish 1930s setting during the Great Depression, the plot is about two con artists seeking revenge for the murder of their mutual friend.
• Axel Freed is an English professor from a family of established doctors and businessmen.

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On their path of high-stakes poker playing, they experience various twists and unexpected obstacles. Shade received some mixed reviews and feedback from critics and the public, but it is a good movie with style and intricate card tricks. Through a series of comedic and often outlandish situations, “The Grand” offers a humorous take on the world of professional poker. Made in the heat of the now-mercifully-cooled World Series of Poker craze, the late Curtis Hanson put an immediate halt to his terrific L.A. We have seen that story a million times in a million better sports movies — this even has a Big Game at the end — but both Bana and Duvall find some truth in their characters regardless.

This seedy, ’50s gambling noir was the Hollywood debut for actor Charlton Heston, who would go on to star in Planet of the Apes and The Ten Commandments. In Dark City, he plays an underground casino owner based in Los Angeles who must deal with patrons who won’t pay their dues. “Rain Man” is a drama movie that explores themes of family, love, and acceptance.